Manual Physical Therapy in Peerless Park, MO | Injury and Chronic Pain Treatment

Manual Physical Therapy in Peerless Park, MO: A Hands-On Approach to Care

Manual physical therapy in Peerless Park, MO. Physical therapy is a medical are of expertise that focuses on restoring strength and mobility to patients who have experienced injury or illness. At Axes, our Peerless Park, MO physical and occupational therapists get our patients back to the things they love by using treatments that have been proven to work. One treatment that consistently works for our clients is manual therapy, in which your Axes physical therapist in Peerless Park, MO uses their hands and specialized instruments to safely and effectively relieve pain and restore motion to your joints and soft tissue. If you’re suffering pain or mobility issues in Peerless Park, MO that are keeping you from living the life you want, contact Axes through our website or get in touch with the location nearest you to get back to the life you want.

What Is Manual Physical Therapy?

The International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists Incorporated defines “manual therapy” as:

a specialized area of physiotherapy / physical therapy for the management of neuro-musculoskeletal conditions, based on clinical reasoning, using highly specific treatment approaches including manual techniques and therapeutic exercises.

Manual physical therapy dates back to over 2,000 years ago. Also referred to as hands-on therapy, manual therapy is specialty within the area of physical therapy. It’s a type of treatment that involves the therapist using their hands to manipulate, mobilize, and massage the patient’s muscles, joints, and soft tissues. Doing this can help address numerous different conditions and injuries, including chronic pain, arthritis, sports injuries, and more. It encourages the body to promote blood flow and relearn how to move correctly, ultimately restoring function.

Manual physical therapy endeavors to help patients regain optimal health and function through non-invasive treatments that can be used alone or in combination with other forms of therapy, such as exercise and stretching. Research demonstrates that a combination of manual physical therapy and other types of physical therapy, such as exercise prescription, typically gets better results than either therapy used on its own. At Axes, our Peerless Park, MO physical therapists only prescribe treatment plans that have been proven to be safe and effective.

Manual Physical Therapy Peerless Park, MO | Injury Recovery | Orthopedic Rehab Near Peerless Park

What Injuries and Conditions Can Manual Physical Therapy Treat in Peerless Park, MO

Manual physical therapy can be used to treat numerous different conditions and injuries. Here are some examples:

Back pain — Manual physical therapy can be effective in treating chronic low back pain, which up to 84%of American adults suffer from at some stage in their lives.
Neck pain — Manual physical therapy can also be used to treat neck pain, which may be the result of poor posture, stress, or an accident.
Sports injuries — Those who play sports in Peerless Park, MO who sustain sports injuries like sprains, strains, and ACL tears can recover from their injury quicker with the help of manual therapy.
Arthritis — Manual physical therapy can be used to treat arthritis, a degenerative disease used to describe a group of conditions that cause pain and inflammation in the joints. Manual Therapy is a great way to reduce issues in your joints, improve flexibility, and slow the progression of the disease.
Fibromyalgia — Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that causes pain throughout the body or at multiple sites.
Headaches — Manual physical therapy can also be great at relieving headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.

These are just a few of the many conditions and injuries that manual physical therapy can provide meaningful relief for. If you are suffering from pain or stiffness, reach out to an Axes Peerless Park, MO physical therapist to find out if manual physical therapy is right for you. After one of our free injury screenings, we’ll form a team with you and your physician to return you to the activities you love most in ways that have been proven to work.

Manual Techniques Our Peerless Park, MO Physical Therapists Utilize

There are many different types of manual physical therapy techniques that a therapist in Peerless Park, MO may use, for example:

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization is the technique of administering pressure to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The objective of soft tissue mobilization is to relieve pain, increase range of motion, and promote healing by smoothing out scar tissue. This can be done using numerous different techniques such as massage therapy, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.

During soft tissue mobilization, the therapist applies pressure and stretches the soft tissues in a particular manner to break up adhesions, release trigger points, and improve circulation. Soft tissue mobilization is commonly used to treat conditions such as sports injuries, chronic pain, back and neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis. It is best when used alongside other therapies to help patients recover quicker, safely, and effectively.

Joint Manipulation

Joint mobilization is a moderate technique in which the therapist applies slow movements to the joint along its natural path. The objective of joint mobilization is to reestablish joint mobility and limit pain by gently stretching the joint capsule and surrounding structures. Joint mobilization is often used for patients who have limited range of motion in a joint, and it is usually performed without causing any audible cracking sounds.

Joint Mobilization

Joint manipulation, on the other hand, is a high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique that involves an abrupt and controlled force to the joint. The objective of joint manipulation is to regain joint mobility and reduce pain by realigning the joint and breaking up any adhesions. Joint manipulation can produce a perceptible popping or cracking sound, which is caused by the release of gas bubbles in the joint capsule.

Joint manipulation is typically used for patients who have acute joint pain, restricted joint mobility, or a joint that needs to be realigned. It is imperative that joint manipulation should only be carried out by a physical therapist, as it can be accompanied by certain risks, like injury or exacerbation of an existing condition.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release is a manual therapy technique that is used to treat myofascial pain and dysfunction. Fascia is a thin, tough, and elastic connective tissue that serves to cushion the body’s internal organs, as well as providing structural support and facilitating movement. With myofascial release, your Peerless Park, MO physical therapist applies sustained pressure and stretching to the fascia and underlying muscle tissue to release tension and restore normal movement. Myofascial release is can be part of a treatment plan for a wide variety of injuries and conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and TMJ.

During your session, the physical therapist applies mild to moderate, sustained pressure to specific body parts where there is tension in the fascia. The pressure is applied slowly, allowing the fascia to stretch and release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to further the effects of the myofascial release.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy is a technique that involves applying pressure to particular points in soft tissue that are giving the patients problems. The goal of trigger point therapy is to release tension and reduce pain in the affected area. It’s often used by Peerless Park, MO physical therapists to treat a variety of conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, and sports injuries.

During a trigger point therapy appointment, the therapist uses their hands or a specialized tool to apply direct pressure to the part of your muscle that is affecting you. More pressure is applied as the session progresses, and it’s sustained for several seconds or longer, allowing the trigger point to release. The therapist may also use stretching and other techniques to enhance the benefits of the trigger point therapy. In some cases, your physical therapist may suggest trigger point dry needling.

How Manual Physical Therapy in Peerless Park, MO Can Help You

There are many benefits to manual physical therapy, including:

Decreased pain — Manual physical therapy can help feel better while you’re recovering. By reducing pain, patients have an improved quality of life and get back to activities they enjoy.
Increased range of motion — By regaining movement and function to the body, manual physical therapy can help Peerless Park, MO resident perform daily tasks and other activities more effectively. Improved mobility can also decrease the likelihood of falls and other injuries.
Improved bloodflow — Some manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue mobilization, can help boost circulation by increasing blood flow to the region.
Faster recovery — Manual physical therapy can help to encourage the body’s natural healing process, which can speed up the recovery process. This can be especially beneficial for patients recovering from an operation or other invasive procedures.
Improved posture — Manual therapy can offer you a better posture by properly aligning your muscles and joints and soothing over affected tissue.
Improved mental health — Manual therapy can be a soothing experience, as it releases endorphins, the body’s own, homegrown feel-good hormone.
Better quality of life — With all the above benefits in place, manual physical therapy can help patients to enjoy a better quality of life overall. Patients may find relief because of less stress, better sleep, and improved mental health as a result of finally returning to the activities they enjoy the most.

Other services we offer in Peerless Park, MO include:

Manual Physical Therapy Peerless Park, MO | Chronic Pain Treatment | Physical Therapy Near Peerless Park

Manual Physical Therapy in Peerless Park, MO | Axes Physical Therapy

Manual physical therapy is a powerful and effective treatment option for a wide range of conditions and injuries in Peerless Park, MO. By using their hands to manipulate and mobilize the soft tissues and joints of the body, physical therapists can help patients achieve optimal health and function without the need for surgical options or prescription drugs. At Axes, we provide positive client experiences by helping Peerless Park, MO residents get back to what they enjoy the most with evidence-backed treatment modalities. To learn more about what Axes can do for you, contact us through our website or call the location nearest you.

Manual Physical Therapy Peerless Park, MO